Hold the tomatoes

Tomatoes are scarce in Le Mars this week. A salmonella outbreak that hit 17 states and more than 150 people was linked to certain varieties of raw tomatoes. As a result, restaurants and stores across the nation, including in Le Mars, threw out any of the possibly affected tomatoes. [Click to enlarge]

Good luck.

Although a recent tomato-related salmonella outbreak hasn't hit Iowa yet, most restaurants and stores in Le Mars have temporary pulled the big reds from their menus and shelves.

Cases of the salmonella strain, Saintpaul Salmonella, have been popped up in 17 states, traced back to certain varieties of raw tomatoes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracking down the geographical source of the salmonella contamination. Until then, three types of tomatoes -- red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes -- are on a watch list.

Doretta Heidebrink, the owner of Taco John's in Le Mars, said their central office's order to pull tomatoes came about 12:30 on Sunday morning.

"We're going with the decision of all Taco John's restaurants not using tomatoes to be on the safe side until the FDA says it's OK," she said. "We threw about 25 pounds of tomatoes out, plus food items they were already used in like quesidillas."

They're not alone.

Local diner Lally's Eastside Restaurant is temporarily not serving tomatoes. Nor is McDonald's. A sign on the door informs customers that all McDonald's restaurants across the United States won't be serving sliced tomatoes until the FDA gives the all clear.

At Le Mars' Subway restaurants, co-owner Gene Friederich said they destroyed a couple of cases of tomatoes that were already sliced and have 10 25-pound cases on hold while they wait for the FDA to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. If the tomatoes he has are from that location, he'll toss them. If they are deemed safe, he'll be able to use them, but the clock is ticking.

"They won't be good after a couple of days," he said.

Shoppers can still find tomatoes on the shelves of grocery stores in Le Mars, but not certain varieties.

Fareway in Le Mars said they pulled all of the types of tomatoes that have been linked in other states to salmonella.

"Anything we have out now is safe," a Fareway spokesperson said.

At Hy-Vee, there are tomatoes on the shelves -- only those that were grown in hot houses or greenhouses.

Alex Szczech, general manager of Le Mars' Wal-Mart, said they had orders from their home office to pull all tomatoes that came from Mexico, a suspected source of the outbreak.

"This time of year, they're a major supplier," said Szczech, who noted that they removed 40-50 pounds of tomatoes from their shelves.

At Taco John's, Heidebrink said she'd like to get credit from her tomato suppliers for the tomatoes she had to toss, but she's not holding her breath.

"If not, I'll just take it as a cost of business," she said.

Other restaurant owners also say they'll likely have to swallow the cost themselves, but they'd rather throw away the tomatoes than run a risk.

"In the restaurant industry, something like this could permanently tarnish your reputation," said Marty Pippett, owner of Mr. P's Pizza and Sports Grill of Le Mars.

In the meantime, restaurant owners are posting signs and apologizing to customers for the temporary cutback.

"It definitely makes a difference," Heidebrink said. "People miss their tomatoes."

She said once she explains the situation, diners are usually understanding.

Carol Arens of Remsen, eating at Taco John's in Le Mars on Tuesday, said she could survive without tomatoes on her meal.

"I'd rather be safe than sorry," she said.

Tomatoes the FDA lists as safe to consume:

*cherry tomatoes

*grape tomatoes

*tomatoes sold with the vine still attached

*tomatoes grown at home

*tomatoes grown in locations not associated with the outbreak: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, Puerto Rico.

Symptoms of infection:

Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps developing 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. (Source FDA)